Greek organizations part of the Inter-Fraternity and Inter-Sorority Councils saw an increase in student participation this year, despite inclement weather during recruitment and continuing economic troubles.
The IFC reported that 812 students participated in its spring rush this year, compared to 693 students in 2009, IFC President Charles Gamper said. Of the 812 students who rushed this year, 598 were extended bids, an increase from 580 students in 2009, he said. Of the 598 extended bids in 2010, 467 were accepted, he said.
Gamper said the increase was a "result of an expanded outreach program initiated by the IFC to create co-sponsorships with cultural organizations" and an effort to discuss fraternity life with different communities at the University.
The ISC also saw an increase in the number of rushees this spring, as 829 students registered this year, while only 819 students registered last year, Vice President of Recruitment Chelsey Iaquinto said. Of the 829 students who registered for rush this year, 794 actually participated - also an increase from the 785 students who rushed in 2009, she said.
The increases in recruitment numbers were not affected by the snowstorms, though the weather posed a challenge to both rush processes this year.
"I think it was a different experience this year with the snow that we had," Iaquinto said.
Three rounds of sorority recruitment - including house tours, preferences and bid night - had to be moved to the days after what was originally scheduled because of the hazardous weather, Iaquinto said. Because of the snow, the third and fourth rounds of recruitment took place last Monday instead of the previous Sunday, she said.
Additionally, sororities traditionally hold preferences, the fourth round of rush, in various locations throughout Charlottesville, Iaquinto said. The snow, however, caused sororities to host the events at chapter houses.
Fraternities across Grounds, on the other hand, dealt with the snow by extending their second round of invites one day longer, allowing fraternities the option to host events on what was originally intended to be a day of no contact with the rushees, Gamper said. The IFC also did not reschedule its Bid Day but took safety measures to ensure that the day went smoothly for all students involved.\n"Snow just sort of gave an extra challenge to make sure that we had things in place to keep people safe in terms of clearing sidewalks and adding regulations to how bids were extended." Gamper said.\nThough the constant snowfall was a hindrance, both the IFC and ISC said that the recent economic recession did not seem to affect recruitment numbers. The ISC, Iaquinto said, makes a point to make financial obligations associated with joining sororities clear to prospective members near the start of recruitment.
"I can't say that it impacted rush at all," Gamper said.
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